Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the Bristol Post:

Delays on trains after landslip between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa



There has been a landslip between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa, causing delays on trains.

It is understand it happened near Oldfield Park.

First Great Western reports that all lines are blocked and that replacement road transport is being sourced.

Those pesky landslips clearly cause absolute havoc with the track layout at Oldfield Park. 

This is a future picture ...

By the year 2059, the line will be 4 track from the Bristol area to Oldfield Park, where it will come down to 2 tracks through the city due to all the listed structures through there and the objections to removal of the overhead electric structures which have become so iconic in the 50 years since they were installed.

We are on "lighter side", aren't we?

[grahame]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2706201/End-line-quiet-carriages-trains-Rail-operators-axe-designated-areas-cause-rows-passengers.html

End of the line for quiet carriages on trains: Rail operators axe designated areas because they 'cause rows between passengers'

[trainer]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2706201/End-line-quiet-carriages-trains-Rail-operators-axe-designated-areas-cause-rows-passengers.html


End of the line for quiet carriages on trains: Rail operators axe designated areas because they 'cause rows between passengers'

Once again the Mail shows its attention to detail and enthusiasm for other European countries' rail systems.

[thetrout]

This is probably more suited to the Pedants thread. But I'll put it here:

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Moment-Boeing-777-passenger-jet-flies-low-traffic/story-22797188-detail/story.html

This dramatic photo shows a Boeing 777 swooping down over traffic stopped at a red light.

Looks like a Level Crossing to me

[Ollie]

This is probably more suited to the Pedants thread. But I'll put it here:

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Moment-Boeing-777-passenger-jet-flies-low-traffic/story-22797188-detail/story.html

This dramatic photo shows a Boeing 777 swooping down over traffic stopped at a red light.

Looks like a Level Crossing to me

I don't think it is, reading the article, it appears the airport can stop traffic on roads nearby when certain aircraft come into land. Same style as a level crossing though, but looking at Streetview, it is appears to be just lights and road markings.

[JayMac]

Such traffic lights are not exclusive to the road/rail interface.

The same 'wigwags' can be seen outside fire stations for example, and as this article highlights, on roads near runways.

I seem to remember that 'wigwags' were in place on the A38 at Filton back in the day, and at Lulsgate, also on the A38, before the road was dog legged around the runway apron.

[Brucey]

There are similar arrangements near RAF^▸ (Royal Air Force) Northolt in West London.

The Boeing 777 photograph was actually the front page story on yesterday's Cambridge News.  Made a refreshing change from "mother finds maggot in Tesco Value potatoes", which was last Friday's cover story. 

[stuving]

There are similar arrangements near RAF^▸ (Royal Air Force) Northolt in West London.

Yes - but not on the A40 (I don't think there ever were - just the road sign with an aircraft outline on it). And of course that is one place where an aeroplane did drive across the road, not so long ago - determined by the AAIB^▸ (Air Accident Investigation Branch), unusually, to be an HR^▸ (Human Resources) problem.

The wigwags are on the A4180; picture attached courtesy Google Street View, as I don't have time to go there ...

There also used to be a taxiway crossing at Heathrow, north of Hatton Cross, which was recently closed and the perimeter road made to detour round the back of the big BA^» (British Airways - about) shed and Vanguard House. I guess that's pretty new, as a bit of that new road is still a Street view-free area. My recollection of that is that it had normal traffic lights and big rolling gates, all hand operated. 

[Surrey 455]

There also used to be a taxiway crossing at Heathrow, north of Hatton Cross, which was recently closed and the perimeter road made to detour round the back of the big BA^» (British Airways - about) shed and Vanguard House. I guess that's pretty new, as a bit of that new road is still a Street view-free area. My recollection of that is that it had normal traffic lights and big rolling gates, all hand operated. 

It has been at least 6 years since the crossing was closed. From memory it was just level crossing lights to stop you driving into Concorde or a passing 747 as although there were automatic sliding gates to stop you driving into the hangars or runway I don't remember any barriers coming down on the road when the other barriers slid open.

I used that crossing as an excuse for getting in to work late a few times.
"Sorry I'm late, I had to wait for Concorde to cross the road"

[Brucey]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) this time: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28933249

London rail commuters face delays into King's Cross

That is just north of Clapham Junction

[Red Squirrel]

I seem to remember that 'wigwags' were in place on the A38 at Filton back in the day...

Wigwags, barriers and special short lamp-posts as I remember it... came in very handy when Concordes were rolling off the production line; they used to back new aircraft up almost to the perimeter fence and then run the engines up to full reheat. The shock diamonds went halfway across the A38 and would easily have sent your family Cortina barrel-rolling in the direction of Little Stoke. Quite the loudest thing I've ever felt ('heard' somehow doesn't seem the right word).

[grahame]

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/09/14/hourly-train-service-between-shropshire-and-the-welsh-coast-on-target/

An hourly train service between Shropshire and the Welsh coast is on track to start next May.

[paul7575]

From 'Bedford Today', reporting on the current changes to the Thameslink franchise:



Article also reports, in the present tense, that Thameslink connects to Southampton and Portsmouth, I don't think I'll go round and wait for a train...

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/govia-launches-new-era-on-thameslink-and-great-northern-1-6293092

Paul

[Rhydgaled]

Link to the Welsh Coast with Pendolinos in May 2015? Has electrification been brought forward (not a single foot of electrified track in Wales yet is there)?

Oh, it is talking about the Cambrian Line. Maybe they saw the scenery in the background and thought it looked like the senic terrain the Cambrian goes through, but didn't notice the OHLE.

[grahame]

(not a single foot of electrified track in Wales yet is there)?

But there is an electric railway ...

The most relaxing way to enjoy this majestic panorama is to travel by train on the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain, which has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896.

See more at: http://www.aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk/

Edit to add ...
And there used to be an electric line in Swansea too ...
http://www.welshwales.co.uk/mumbles_railway_swansea.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi4i20xVNrE